1/1/2008 - culture gay |
| Posted by gay cutlure |
Gay culture. We hear and use the phrase all the time, but what does it mean? Well, if we're talking about gay men, it can mean camp. It can mean Streisand, "Dynasty," Madonna. Some months ago a guest Advocate columnist raised the issue of whether the shared interest of many gay men in such cultural phenomena is innate. A straight friend of his had claimed that the gay-icon status of a Judy Garland, say, was simply the consequences of gay men taking their cues from other gay men. The writer of the piece demurred, insisting that gay boys feel strongly drawn to certain things at a very young age.
I agree. To be sure, not all gay men respond powerfully to the same stuff. I never cared for "Dynasty," for example, nor am I a big opera fan. But I do find myself watching Mildred Pierce, Mommie Dearest, and Auntie Mame virtually every time they're on TV, and I enjoy them out of all proportion to their objective merits. The same goes for the British sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous"; not till weeks after I fell for it did I discover that it was a nationwide gay favorite.
Obviously these tastes have something to do with my being a gay man. But what, exactly? For every canonical gay taste I share, there are ten I don't. In any event, I don't think such tastes are a direct consequence of my homosexuality. Would Alexander the Great have loved Auntie Mame? Would Richard the Lion-Hearted have become addicted to "Ab Fab"? When a ten-year-old gay kid finds himself drawn to such phenomena, I suspect, it's not because of a genetic link between sexual orientation and cultural tastes, but because some complex conjunction between his as-yet-unarticulated awareness of his own differentness and society's signals to him about emotional orientation, sexual identity, and gender roles.
There's a distinction, of course, between "Ab Fab" and gay culture as it's understood by people who give prizes for "gay books" and such. But the dividing line isn't clear. Must a "gay movie" be written and directed by gays? Does a "lesbian novel" require a lesbian author, a lesbian protagonist? This question has plagued the Lambda Literary Awards and to my mind has underscored the difficulty inherent in the whole notion of "gay culture" as something distinct from "straight culture."
On the one hand, I can understand the desire to honor art works that profitably ponder the meaning of gayness. On the other hand, I'm wary about the ghettoizing of gay culture. I'm also uncomfortable with the argument that gay people must "support gay culture." What can this mean? At best it's empty political rhetoric; at worst it's an insistence that we must embrace every novel, play, or movie produced by gay people whether or not we actually like it. This is totalitarianism, pure and simple.
It's also confining, for there's no part of the cultural landscape without a gay element. Even if gays constitute as much as fifteen percent of the population, the gay contribution to Western art, architecture, music, and literature far exceeds what it should be statistically. If you accept the right-wing claim that only one in a hundred people is gay, then the gay contribution is truly extraordinary. Think about it: A group comprising one percent of the population producing Erasmus, da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Marlowe, Bacon, Hφlderlin, Hans Christian Andersen, Tchaikovsky, Proust ... the list goes on and on to include three of the four major nineteenth-century American novelists, one (perhaps both) of the two great nineteenth-century American poets, and two of the three most noted mid-twentieth-century American dramatists.
The immensity of the debt that Western civilization owes to gay and lesbian genius is pretty ironic, given that homosexuality is often described as a threat to Western civilization by those strangest of allies, the culturally philistine religious right and neo-conservative intellectuals. Especially ironic is the case of Allan Bloom, the late author of The Closing of the American Mind. That 1987 best-seller, which defended the traditional literary canon against multiculturalism, became the neocon bible, a key text in the so-called culture wars. As those wars wore on, the neocons began to mimic the rhetoric of the religious right, bizarrely linking the decline of American art, culture, and higher education to a deterioration of "family values," which in turn was blamed mostly on increasing acceptance of gays. Gays, then, were Western civilization's worst enemies and Bloom its most ardent defender.
Yet what few readers knew was that Bloom (who died in 1992) was gay. His allies knew, but that didn't keep them from bashing gays in print. Years ago, at a social occasion, a leading neocon was overheard saying to an associate, "Isn't it a shame about Allan Bloom?" He meant, of course, "Isn't it a shame that he's gay?" In fact the real shame was that neocons saw no moral difficulty in celebrating Bloom while vilifying gays generally and that Bloom, for his part, never publicly confronted them with the fact that Western civilization, far from being threatened by homosexuality, is to a staggeringly disproportionate degree the creation of gay men and women.
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4/4/2008 - gay UK - London |
| Posted by London gay |
27 Mar-
10 Apr London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival continues at the National Film Theatre and attracts an audience of over 22,000 people each year, who come to see our 120 film premieres, as well as shorts, masterclasses and interviews. 020 7815 1323 for any enqiuries .
Fri 4 Apr Save The Drill Hall: The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain - Featuring only ukuleles - little ones, big ones, high ones, low ones, with not a twang incongruous - the UOGB is playing two benefit concerts in aid of The Drill Hall. Admin : 020 7307 5061. 7.30 and 9.30pm; minimum donation for tickets £17.50. Book online at www.drillhall.co.uk | Bloomsbury.
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Fri 4 Apr GLP CIRCA DRINKS PARTY - Join us for a glass of wine with our compliments at The Arts Club & continue the night at Shadow Lounge. Free admission. You may bring up to 3 guests. 7-11pm, Free | Mayfair | more info ...
5-6 Apr GLBT EXPO - NEW YORK - Blending Business & Entertainment the EXPO has helped to present the finest products & services available to the GLBT consumer. Starting in 1993, the EXPO has generated over $35,000,000 of dollars spent within the Greater Tri-State area. This includes GLBT friendly companies from every industry, both large and small, Fortune 1000 and Gay-owned companies. They have all discovered the GLBT Community is affluent, brand-loyal, well educated and business minded. It is the truest definition of 'THE PERFECT NICHE MARKET'. 10am- 7pm. | New York | .
Sat 5 Apr WISH: APRIL 2008 - Ultranicher and ubercooler than ever, catch Kath Harding, Kate Nunn, Sean Hewson, La Coop and guest dj De Kutt playing tech, minimal techno, indie and electronica to a stylish, up-for-it crowd of gay girls and boys. 9pm - 4am | London | more info ...
Sun 6 Apr Save The Drill Hall: Michael Nyman & Marie Angel perform I Sonetti Lussuriosi - Michael Nyman, perhaps best known for his score of the 1993 film The Piano, has set 'the lustful sonnets' to music and accompanies Marie Angel, the Australian-born soprano. They are performing a one-off benefit concert in aid of The Drill Hall. Admin : 020 7307 5061. - 7.30pm; minimum donation for tickets £15. Book online at www.drillhall.co.uk | Bloomsbury | more info ...
Tue 8 Apr SOUTH LONDON GAYS' MEETING - Metropolitan Community Church: Rev Jean White pastor of MCC South London talks about the history and aims of the Church and what it can offer to the LGBT community. 8.30pm free | Clapham | more info ...
11-12 Apr LESBIAN COMIC CLARE SUMMERSKILL BRAND NEW SHOW - Don't miss comedienne, singer, actress and writer Clare Summerskill performing her totally brand new stage show In No Particular Order. Packed full of hilarious and thought-provoking stand-up, totally original songs and finely drawn comedy characters, Clare's performances are a one-of-a-kind experience and a perennial favourite on the LGBT theatre circuit. 7:30 £10/£8 | Oxford | more info ...
Sat 12 Apr LGCM ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND AGM - The day will be opened in worship and followed by the AGM and the first of the workshop opportunities. After lunch writer and theologian, Nicola Slee, will present 'The work of standing, the joy of dancing: a spirituality to sustain the long haul!'. This will be followed by a further two work shops and the day closes with worship. 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Members - £30.00, Non-members - £40.00, unwaged - £10.00, lunch costs an extra £10.00 or bring your own. | Holborn | more info ...
Sun 13 Apr GLOUCESTERSHIRE BRIDE - Free pampering pack for first 100 brides, free admission to all, free parking, free samples, discounts & special offers. - 10am-3pm- FREE | Cheltenham | more info ...
15-22 Apr GAY WRITERS AND READERS WORKSHOP, SOUTH OF FRANCE - Led by gay author Patrick Gale. Sixth annual workshop at this popular gay guesthouse in the South of France. For budding writers and keen readers alike. No previous writing experience necessary. Discussion groups, optional exercises and personal tuition. Very sociable with plenty of free time for other activities. One week course and holiday with accommodation and meals from £375.00 per person | Montclus | more info ...
18-19 Apr Julie Felix - Highway of Diamonds - Celebrating 45 years in the music business, Julie Felix is bringing her tour to The Drill Hall for two nights in April. Admin : 020 7307 5061. - 7.30pm; £15 | £12 concessions. Book online at www.drillhall.co.uk | Bloomsbury | more info ...
Mon 20 Apr LESBIAN COMIC CLARE SUMMERSKILL - Don't miss comedienne, singer, actress and writer Clare Summerskill performing her totally brand new stage show In No Particular Order. Packed full of hilarious and thought-provoking stand-up, totally original songs and finely drawn comedy characters, Clare's performances are a one-of-a-kind experience and a perennial favourite on the LGBT theatre circuit. 8 pm £12 | Bristol | more info ...
Thu 23 Apr What now for our LGBT community? - Is there still a need for ghetto groups like the GBA? Is there still a need to campaign? How is lgbt assimilation going? The GBA is hosting an important debate for all the major LGBT organisations to see where we need to go - and what we need to do - next. NEW Venue: City Inn - Westminster, 30 John Islip Street, London SW1P 4DD | Westminster | more info
24-26 Apr INTERNATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (IGLCC) - Annual General Assembly, supporting the advancement of the LGBT business community globaly. | Montreal | more info ...
25 Apr LESBIAN COMIC CLARE SUMMERSKILL'S HILARIOUS NEW SHOW - Don't miss comedienne, singer, actress and writer Clare Summerskill performing her totally brand new stage show In No Particular Order. Packed full of hilarious and thought-provoking stand-up, totally original songs and finely drawn comedy characters, Clare's performances are a one-of-a-kind experience and a perennial favourite on the LGBT theatre circuit. 8 pm £12/£10 | Hemel Hempstead | more info ...
26-27 Apr DISCOVERING AND RECOVERING YOUR CREATIVITY. - This course is for anyone who wants to be more creative - whether you are already a creative or looking to bring more creative expression into your life - we will create a safe, fun place for you. - £95/ £65 con (limited places) or £150 for 2 when booked at same time | London | more info ...
Sat 26 Apr VELVET WOMEN'S CLUB NIGHT, EDINBURGH - Velvet Women's Club Night, Edinburgh, is nn lgbt not-for-profit social entrepreneurial community project donating to charity. The Interesting Alternative; Eclectic, Uplifting, Genre Spanning. With DJs Leatherface, Lucy*Fur, & New Guests DJs Trendy Wendy & Jeremy(Planet Out) - 9pm Door Donation Tickets in advance only £6 | Edinburgh | more info ...
28 Apr-
4 May EQUALITY FORUM 2008 - Equality Forum presents the largest annual national and international GLBT civil rights forum including Blue Ball parties, SundayOUT, Equality Live! concert and International Equality Dinner. All substantive events free with an admission for parties and special events | Philadelphia | more info ...
29 Apr-
4 May INTERNATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TRAVEL ASSOCIATION IGLTA - ANNUAL CONVENTION - IGLTA is an international network of travel industry businesses and professionals which encourages gay and lesbian travel throughout the world. It is a not-for-profit association and has travel business and guest house members around the globe. Membership benefits include a newsletter, annual convention, calendar of events, co-operative advertising program, familiarisation trips, and networking opportunities. - | Las Vegas |
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6/26/2008 - big gay men cock pics videos |
| Posted by gay big cock blogs |
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